CSG petition sparks row among north coast politicians

An anti-coal seam gas petition containing more than 10,000 signatures will be sent to the State Parliament today.

Labor's federal member for Richmond says the State Government remains the main consent authority for coal seam gas developments.

Justine Elliot says the petition is an indication of the strong community opposition to the industry.

She says getting so many signatures was essential.

"If you present a petition with more than 10,000 signatures, then it must be debated in the New South Wales Parliament," Ms Elliot said.

"So what we're calling for in this petition is for an immediate moratorium on all CSG activities within the boundaries of those state parliamentary seats of Lismore, Ballina, Clarence and Tweed.

"It's the State Government that regulates and licenses coal seam gas mining and you know what, they could stop this tomorrow.

"If we actually had state members of parliament who listened to their community and did their job, they'd go an knock on Barry O'Farrell's door today and say listen to the people, here's 10,000 signatures.

"The communities on the north coast do not want coal seam gas mining."

But the state's Minister for the North Coast, Don Page, says it's a political stunt.

"There has already been a petition debated in the NSW Parliament," he said.

"This is a cynical vote-gathering exercise by two Labor federal MPs whose hypocrisy I've got to say is breath taking.

"Remember that it was the Labor Party who gave us all the exploration licences that are on the north coast.

"When we came into government we put a hold on everything for 18 months while we worked out a better, tougher regulatory regime."

It's a fundamental human yearning to be a part of something bigger than one's self, and maybe that's what drove my mate Ash to die, far from home, in a bloody foreign war against Islamic State, writes C August Elliott.